Redwood City — More than $3 million in federal funds are now available to summer 2023 enrichment programs that address student learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Program providers can apply up to 5 p.m. Jan. 9, 2023, at www.SMCStrong.org. Funds will be distributed in March 2023. The grants will range from $15,000 to $100,000 depending on how many school-age children (transitional kindergarten through 12th grade) are currently served.
Two types of summer enrichment program providers may apply for a grant:
1) local government and school district providers that offer programs serving youth with annual family incomes of less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income; and,
2) local nonprofits and for-profit businesses that provide enrichment programs to this same youth population.
All funded programs will reinvigorate student learning and promote emotional well-being. In addition, grant program organizers encourage programs that offer meals, mental health services and transportation and to apply. Programs that will give local workers the opportunity to enter or stay in jobs that serve youth are also encouraged to apply.
This is the second round of the Summer Enrichment Grants funded by the Board of Supervisors. The Board approved $3 million in funding for this second round after hearing the results of a third-party evaluation of the 2022 program. That evaluation showed that a majority of the 6,767 student participants in programs supported by Summer 2022 Enrichment Grants significantly increased their social skills and development last summer.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must, among other criteria:
- Be located in San Mateo County and serve San Mateo County youth
- Be operational for summer 2023
- Provide at least 4 weeks (20 days) of summer enrichment programming and offer at least 4 hours of programming per day
- Serve school-age children (TK –12th grade)
- School district programs must serve primarily socially and economically disadvantaged (SED) youth
- Nonprofits must attest to having experienced negative economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide summer enrichment programming for SED youth
- Local small businesses must attest to having experienced negative economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have 25 or fewer full-time employees and provide summer enrichment programming to SED youth
How are grantees selected?
Applicants will be selected based on weighted score that includes the communities to be served, plans for serving more students by adding slots and/or hours, if they offer other supports for students and families and if they can hire additional staff and/or will use the grant to increase staff wages.
For a full list of application and scoring criteria and to apply, visit https://www.smcstrong.org/apply-for-funding
Additional questions can be emailed to SMC_summerenrichment@smcgov.org
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org